'Shrewsbury Town's character looks so much stronger' - Dave Edwards

It was a game that was not the most eye-catching from a football perspective, as Town lost 1-0 at the weekend, but Shrewsbury were looking to continue that really impressive unbeaten run over the festive period. 

They looked resilient. They looked well-organised against a Leyton Orient side who are doing really well themselves since Town beat them 3-0 in Shropshire earlier in the season. They have gone on a good run. 

With Town's game against Blackpool just a few days earlier, the away games are tough with a small squad. 

The manager had rotated a reasonable amount over the festive period, and they equipped themselves extremely well. 

The only thing they lacked was creativity at the other end to go and score, but what they are doing is they are building some solid foundations and they are staying in games. 

They have found a system which will keep them competitive in almost every game - I think that is the first step that Gareth Ainsworth needed to take. 

They have that in abundance now. We have seen that in all of those games over Christmas. Shrewsbury have a really resolute group of lads who are working extremely hard, and defending so much better than they have been.

That gets them on a level playing field with the opposition. Can we take the next step and recruit in January to get some higher-quality attacking players in the squad?

Or can we have the next phase of Ainsworth's journey in trying to play a little bit more offensively when the opportunities arise? While not leaving ourselves open at the back. 

That is a tough balancing act for the manager. But overall, I think he will be happy with how his side played in east London - apart from the quality up front. 

From a team point of view, there has been a huge mentality shift, there is more belief when they go a goal behind - we saw that at Wigan and at Blackpool. 

The character of the squad looks so much stronger than it has at any stage this season, that gives you a chance. 

Tom Bloxham is a player who can create something out of nothing with his raw pace. He is so powerful physically, and he hits the ball so well with his short backlift. 

I got to see that when he was a real young kid training with the first team when I was still there, he strikes the ball with such ferocity. 

The goal he scored against Blackpool was a brilliant effort across the goalkeeper. 

When he drifts in from that right-hand side, and he picks up those central areas, he looks so dangerous. 

He can be key. I think we need more players around him - to help. 

Bloxham is still young. He is still raw, but he does have that X-factor that is lacking at the moment, and I am delighted for him. 

He has all the attributes to really drive Shrewsbury forward by being the goalscorer - but he is a big asset for Ainsworth, of that, there is no doubt.

January looks like a tough month for Town. 

Only getting one point from the last two matches puts a little bit more pressure on these games against good teams - and of course, one is a derby game against Wrexham which means so much to the fans.